PSA Antimicrobial Prescribing

Question 1

What is antimicrobial stewardship?

Accepted Answer

A coordinated program to optimize antibiotic use, improve outcomes, and reduce antimicrobial resistance

Answer

Antimicrobial stewardship programs promote appropriate antibiotic selection, dosing, and duration to maximize effectiveness while minimizing resistance development.

Question 2

Why should antibiotics not be prescribed for viral infections?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics only work against bacteria; using them for viral infections provides no benefit and promotes resistance

Answer

Antibiotics target bacterial cellular mechanisms that viruses do not have. Unnecessary antibiotic use drives the development of resistant bacteria without providing any clinical benefit.

Question 3

What factors determine antibiotic selection?

Accepted Answer

Likely pathogen, site of infection, local resistance patterns, patient allergies, and drug pharmacokinetics

Answer

Rational antibiotic selection considers the probable causative organism, anatomical site, local antibiograms, patient factors (allergies, renal function), and drug properties.

Question 4

What is a narrow-spectrum vs. broad-spectrum antibiotic?

Accepted Answer

Narrow-spectrum targets specific bacteria; broad-spectrum affects many types — narrow is preferred when the pathogen is known

Answer

Narrow-spectrum antibiotics (like flucloxacillin for staphylococci) target specific organisms, preserving normal flora. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used when the pathogen is unknown.

Question 5

What is C. difficile infection and how does antibiotic use contribute?

Accepted Answer

An intestinal infection caused when antibiotics kill normal gut bacteria, allowing C. difficile overgrowth

Answer

Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, can destroy normal gut flora, allowing Clostridioides difficile to proliferate and produce toxins causing severe diarrhea and colitis.

(PSA) Prescribing Safety Assessment Practice Test

(PSA) Prescribing Safety Assessment Practice Test

PSA Antimicrobial Prescribing